Ever since Toshiba created the first successful notebook computer in 1985, companies have been striving, and mobile users have been longing, for the perfect portable computer -- something capable of doing everything they would do on a desktop, but small enough to take everywhere.

The best-selling book, "The Innovator's Dilemma," by Clayton M. Christensen, talks about the inability of major corporations to foster innovation, noting that major breakthroughs more often come from small entrepreneurial companies.

Mobile phone and PDA manufacturers have been trying to come up with a single device, called a smartphone, that combines a cell phone, PDA, e-mail capability and Internet access into something close to the size of a phone. While there have been numerous attempts, few have succeeded with just the right compromise of size and features, and sales have been disappointing, at just a few of percent of all phones sold. However, expectations are high for 2004, with some recently introduced products and more on their way.

In this age of electronics, mass production and rapid product obsolescence, you might be surprised to learn of a resurgence of a product category that relies on handmade parts, hand finishing and hand assembly, much like the traditions dating back to the 19th century.

During a recent flight I came across a full-page ad by Qualcomm in the United Airline's in-flight magazine, Hemispheres. It shows a businessman using his notebook computer in a coffee shop. The headline reads "There are places where you can have Wi-Fi access while drinking a latte. This isn't one of them."

For those that enjoy the latest technology, traveling presents some great opportunities to find even more gadgets to make your trip more enjoyable. I'm in the midst of a 10-day, three-country business trip that includes visiting the major electronic shows in the Far East, and have been trying out some useful products that I can recommend.

One of the benefits of computers is automation of tedious and repetitive activities. For more than a decade, there have been products to scan information from business cards and automatically enter the data into the computer, avoiding tedious typing.

I've been evaluating a number of new products that I will be reporting on in future columns. While I receive many products, my criteria for reporting on them is to select those that are either best in their class or new offerings that are of interest to a broad audience.

This week San Diego played host to DEMOmobile 2003, one of the more interesting and influential conferences covering mobile products and technology. DEMOmobile, held yearly, provides a preview of some of the most significant products and services in the wireless and mobile products markets. Past companies that debuted new products at Demo include Palm (Nasdaq: PALM), Google, H-P (NYSE: HPQ), IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Handspring (Nasdaq: HAND).

Phil Baker is an expert in new product development and market development for large and small companies. He has held senior product development and marketing positions with Apple, Polaroid, Seiko, Proxima, ...